Joe Avery was a resident of Old Detroit with his wife Ami and son Josh.
Biography[]
Skilled with mechanical devices, Joe invented the Turbo-Generator, a power generator that could run on common household objects, a project that was prompted by power outages forced upon the citizens of Old Detroit. Joe also managed to repair a clown doll for his son, with whom he shared a close bond.[1]
When Josh required a lung transplant, Joe and his wife resorted to having a set of black market lungs given to their son by Dr. Janet Bailey. However, these lungs were damaged[2] and Josh's body began to reject them, necessitating another transplant.[1]
As they prepared to take Josh to the hospital, their trip was cut short as the Stompers gang descended upon them until being interrupted by RoboCop, who was soon attacked and damaged by the Stompers. Joe helped the OCP Chairman – who identified himself as journalist Mr. Jones – to get RoboCop to safety inside an abandoned building that served as a hideout. There, Norton eventually recognized the Chairman and Joe stopped Norton from attacking him.[1]
Joe decided to go to the Metro South precinct to inform the police of RoboCop's predicament, but the Chairman offered to go instead, suggesting that Joe should be with his family. However, the Chairman did not make it far and returned with the aid of Norton. This prompted Joe to begin attempting to repair RoboCop. His repairs stopped short of anything to with the cyborg's brain, fearing that he lacked the ability to fix it. Encouraged by Ami, the Chairman, and RoboCop himself, Joe continued the repairs, which took him the rest of the night to complete. In the morning, Joe accompanied RoboCop, Norton, and the Chairman in defeating the Stompers, allowing Josh to be taken to the hospital to receive a transplant courtesy of the Chairman, who also expressed interest in Joe's Turbo-Generator.[1]
After the set of lungs intended for Josh were stolen by thieves working for black market organ dealer Dr. Ardo Detriti, Joe admitted to Detective Lisa Madigan and Dr. Elliot Marner that Josh's previous transplant lungs were from the black market. He took Madigan to Dr. Bailey, who stated that she had gotten the lungs from Dr. Otto Gilbert.[2]
Ultimately, the lungs were recovered by RoboCop, Madigan, and Diana Powers and Josh's transplant was a success.[2]